Refrigerator drip catcher and air circulation control



Nov. 16, 1937. R. M. HENDERSON 2,099,165 I REFRIGERATOR DRIP CATCHER AND AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL Original Filed Aug. 16, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

I 2? I INVENTOR. Z3 RE N. HETIEIEPEUfl ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 16,- 1937 R; M. HENDERSON 7, 2,099,165

REFRIGERATOR DRIP CATCHER AND AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL Original Filed Aug. 16, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 f F|G.6.

U Q Q IIIFQI' lNVENT OR.

ATTO R N EYS.

Nov. 16, 1937. HENDERSON 2,099,165

REFRIGERATOR DRIP CATCHER AND AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL Original FiledAug. 16, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 11.

PIC-L12.

INVENTOR.

55' 515 M. HETIdEPSEITL 1 9 R. M. HENDERSON 2,099,165

REFRIGERATOR DRIP CATCHER AND AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 16, 1933 FIG. 14-.

INVENTOR.

H 53 M. Han dare-31:1 TL

4,1 mm Q/MQ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STA ES REFRIGERATOR DRIP CATCHER AIR- CIRCULATION' CONTROL Ray M. Henderson, Houston, Tex.

Application August 16,

1933, Serial No. 685,488

Renewed March 9, 1937 24 Claims.

The present invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to refrigerated show cases or cabinets of the type in which the cooling or refrigerating unit is disposed in the upper portion of the storage compartment of the cabinet. I

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved drip catcher and air circulation control device for refrigerated cabinets of this type embodying an arrangement to collect and dispose of all water which drips from the refrigerating coil and at the same time facilitate the circulation of air within the cabinet or compartment being cooled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drip catcher which will in no way retard free circulation of cold air downwardly thru the device, and which may be arranged to control passage of air therethru to meet the requirements of cabinets used for cooling various articles.'

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will be light in weight and will occupy comparatively little space below the cooling unit. A further object of the invention resides in the arrangement whereby'portions of the drip catcher are so insulated from one another and from the cooling unit as to prevent formationof moisture upon portions thereof such as would drip upon the articles in, the storage compartment.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide a device of this character embodying a'novel arrangement of drip fins supported in a novel arrangementbelow the cooling unit in such relation to drain troughs-as to have all moisture collected upon either sides of the fins to be delivered into the troughs, the troughs being arranged to permit freepassage of cold air downwardly between adjacent troughs. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved drip catcher for refrigerating units embodying a fin assembly and a trough assembly, said fin assembly having means associated therewith to prevent ice dropping off the refrigeratingunit during defrosting of the unit,

from falling into the storage compartment beneath the unit. g

A still further object resides in the novel arrangement for removing accumulated water from the, lower edges of the drip fins to prevent freezing of ice along the lower edges of the fins.

. Other objects and advantages-ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingspforming a part of this specification and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view thru a cooling unit having the drip catcher associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a. fragmentary sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the drain troughs or channels shown in blank form.

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the drip fins or louvers shown in blank form.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section of one of the insulating mountings,

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view thru a cooling unit showing a modified form of drip catcher wherein the fin assembly and drip pan or collector are insulated from one another and from the cooling unit.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on the line '|-"I of Figure 6.

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drip pan shownin Figures 6 and 7. p

Figure 9 is a'fragmentary planview of one of the angular supporting plates shown in Figure 6.

Figure 10is a sectional view thru a cooling unit showing a further modification of the invention having the drip collector insulated from the cooling unit and the fin assembly.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary section on line lI-ii of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary section of a further modification showing the drip collector and fin assembly insulated from the cooling unit. f

Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drip collector shown in Figure 10.

Figure 14 is a sectional view thru a cooling unit showing a still further modification of the drip catcher wherein a shield or baffle is'associated with each drip fin. I ,a

Figure 151s a fragmentary sectional view on the line i5-l5 of Figure 14. t

' Figure 16 is aplan view of one of the shields shown in Figure 15, shown in blankforrn.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary plan view of one end position of one of the drip fins shown in'Fig'ure l5,showninblank form.

Referring first 'to the form of invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the views,:'the cooling or refrigerating unit I in theexample shown embodies 'the usual cooling'coils 5 extended thru vertically disposed fins 6. In the forms of display cabinets having refrigerating units in the upper portion of the storage-compartment; some means must be provided for preventing water from dripping upon the articles in the lower portion of the cabinet beneath the cooling unit, and yet permit free and proper circulation of air within the cabinet. To protect the articles below the cooling unit. and yet permit free circulation of air, I have provided a drip catcher designated as a wholeby the numeral 8.

The drip catcher 8 is designed for positioning closely beneath the cooling unit 4 and embodies a pair of metal side plates 9 preferably of angular shape in cross section providing vertical portions l and inclined portions II which extend inwardly beneath the cooling unit. Extended along the inner side of the side plates 9 are suitable angle irons |2 which engage against the lower edges of the fins 6 and serve to retain the cooling unit in a definite relation to the drip catcher.

Extended between and supported at their ends in the angular or inclined portions ll of the side plates 9 is a series of horizontally disposed metal drip fins or louvers M which are arranged paral horizontal and so arranged and spaced apart that the lower edges of the fins extend below the upper edges of their adjacent fins as clearly shown in Figure 2. With this arrangement it will be seen that any water dropping from the cooling coil above the fins will strike upon the fins and not be permitted to drop thru open spaces between the fins. The ends of the fins H are adapted to be secured to the inclined plate portions II and as shown in Figure 4 are provided with beveled end edges I5 which are adapted to engage with the angular portions While the fins l4 may be secured to the side plates 9 in various manners, in the example shown the drip fins are provided at their ends with suitable tongues l6 adapted to be extended thru suitable apertures ll in the angular plate portions II and be bent over at the outer side of the plate portions. If so desired,

however, the tongues 5' may be secured as by welding, riveting or the like to the inclined plate portions I. As will be observed, the upper edges of the drip fins are spaced slightly below and out of direct contact with the cooling unit. The lower edges of the drip fins H are bent downwardly to provide vertically extending lips H.

The fins M are set at such an angle so that any accumulation of moisture caused by condensation on the lower side of the fins will cling or adhere to the fins until it has passed downwardly to the lower edge before it drips from the downturned lip Therefore, all water or all water such as would be caused by condensation of moisture in the air, whether it drips upon the fins from the cooling means above or is caused by condensation on the fins themselves, will pass downward on thefins to the lower edges thereof before dropping from the fins. The fins are also arranged and spaced apart so that sufficient space is left between the plates to allow for a free circulation of cold air from the cooling unit downwardly thru the fins.

Arranged to extend longitudinally below the lower edge of each drip fin I4 is a metal drip trough or channel l8 for catching the water which drops from the lips These drip troughs l8 are set at a slight angle so that the water collected therein will run towards one end of the trough. As shown in Figure 3, the troughs are provided at each end with tongues IQ for attachment to the inclined portions ll of the side plat ES 9. It will be noted in Figure 1 that one of the inclined side plate portions II is longer than the other to permit this inclined mounting of the drip troughs l8. The side flanges of the troughs I8 are cut away at. the lower ends of the troughs as at 20 in Figure 1 to permit escape of water at the lower ends of the troughs. As will be observed in Figure 2. these troughs |8 are spaced apart for a distance substantially equal to the width of the troughs to allow the cold air passing from between the fins 4 to pass downwardly between the troughs directly intothe storage compartment or chamber to be cooled. The cold air passing downwardly from the side edges of the cooling unit will be deflected inwardly by the inclined side plate portions II and permitted to pass between the troughs l8.

While if so desired, the side plates 9 may consist of flat, vertically disposed plates, the angular or inclined portions II will permit for the downward flow of cold air thru the device to be regulated to suit the needs of each individual case by merely changing the angles of the portions so as to increase or decrease the spacing between lel to one another in planes at an angle to the the lower ends thereof. Such changing of the angles of the plate portions II will of necessity require using drip fins and drip troughs of different lengths.

Secured to and spaced outwardly of each of the side plates 9 are metal outer or guard plates 2| having shapes conforming to the shape of the plates 9. The outer plates 2| are secured along their upper vertical portions to the vertical portions ID of the plates 9 by means of spacing members or washers 22 formed of a suitable heat insulating material. Extended thru the washers 22 are suitable rivets 23 which are insulated from the plate 2| as shown in Figure 5 by insulating washers 24 spacing one head of the rivets out of contact with the metal plates 2|. The lower inclined portions of the plates 2| are secured to the inclined portions ll of the side plates 9 by means of spacing washers 25 thru which are extended rivets 26. Thus the outer plates 2| are insulatively separated from the inner or side plates 9 so that the outer plates 2| have no direct metallic contact with the refrigerating unit and will therefore remain at a temperature above that of the side plates 9. With this double plate arrangement, the temperature of the outer walls or plates 2| thrubeing insulatively spaced apart from the inner side plates will remain at a temperature near that of the air so that the air will not be partially cooledas it comes in contact with the outer plates and be retarded in its upward movement at the sides of the cabinet.

By observing Figure 1 it will be seen that cold air from the cooling unit 4 passes downwardly at the center of the cabinet and forcesthe warm air upwardly along the side walls 28 of the cabinet. Should the space between the outer plates 2| and cabinet walls 28 be small in proportion to the space for downward passage of cold air thru the drip catcher, the portions of the side plates may be set at a greater angle toward the center of the cabinet for decreasing the cold air passageway and provide for the desired air circulation in the cabinet.

Secured to each of the side plates as by the rivets 28 is a drain trough 39 which extends 1ongitudinally of the lower edges of the plates to catch all drippings from the plates and water from the drip troughs I8. These drain troughs 39 convey the water to a suitable drain pipe (not shown) arranged at any preferred location in the cabinet. The drain troughs are insulatively spaced from the outer plates 2| by I of air will be reversed in its travel by the air 1 and provide vertical portions I6 and angular or inclined lower portions I I'. The inclined portions I I are provided with apertures I 'I' as shown in Figure 9 for mounting of angularly disposed metal 'drip fins I4 by means of tongues I6 formed at the ends of the drip fins. ,The lower edges of the drip fins are provided with the depending lips I1' adapted to extend vertically from the lower edges of the fins. The vertical portions of the'plates 9' are secured to and insulatively spaced from the angle irons I2 by means of suitable insulating washers 22' thru which are extended rivets 23' which are so insulated at one end from the plates 9 as to form no direct metallic contact between the plates and the cooling unit. As shown in Figure 7, the drip fins I4 are disposed in parallel relation and set at an angle to the horizontal with the upper edges of the fins overlying the lower edges of adiacent fins so that no direct vertical opening is formed between the fins. 7

Arranged beneath the fins I4 is a one piece metal drip pan 35 adapted to be supported along its side edges from the side plates 9'. Each side edge of the drip pan or collector 35 is formed with an upwardly inclined plate portion 36 and these plate portions are connected in spaced relation to the inclined portions II by means of suitable insulating washers 25' and rivets 26' extended thru the washers and insulated at one end from the plate portions. Thus the drip pan or collector 35 has no direct metallic contact with the side plates 9. Connecting the plate portions 36 is a series of parallel drip troughs or channels 38 between which are spaces 40 of a width preferably equal to the width of the troughs 38. These troughs 36 asshown in Figure 6 slope downwardly from each end toward the center of the troughs and each trough is provided at its lower central portion with a drain opening 4| thru which water may drain into a drain trough 42 provided with a drain pipe 43.

As shown in Figure 7, one of the troughs 39 is provided for each of the drip fins I4 with the downturned lips ll of the fins aligning vertically abovethe drip troughs.

It will be noted in each form of drip catcher shown in Figures --l and 6 that the drip fins are arranged horizontally below the cooling unit so that there is no tendency of the cold air passing downwardly thru the fins being deflected in a direction longitudinally of the fins toward one side of the cabinet. The slight inclination of the drip troughs I8 in Figure 1 may cause a very small portion ofthe cold air to be directed towards the lower ends of the troughs, but this small amount striking against the upper side of the inclined plate portion I I at the lower ends of the troughs. It will be noted that each form of drip catcher is constructed entirely of metal with the exception of the insulating washers. serving to prevent condensation of moisture 'uponportions of the device which would fall upon the articles stored below the cooling unit.

Referring now to the form of invention shown in Figures 10, 11, and 13, the fin assembly designated by the numeral 45 comprises vertical metal side plates 46 extended longitudinally of the angle irons 41 and depending therefrom. Connected at their endsin any preferred manner to the side plates 46 is a series of angularly disposed metal drip fins 49, the lower portions of which extend below the lower edges of the side plates as clearly shown in Figures 10 and l1. These fins 46 are slightly inclined longitudinally and each has its lower edge turned up to form. a

V-shaped trough 49 along the lower edge of eachtrough assembly 52 comprising a drip collector embodying a side wall 53 secured outwardly of theside plate 46 at the higher end of the fins 49 by means of the rivets 56. This side wall 53 is insulatively spaced from the side plate 46 by suitable insulating washers 54 whereby there is no direct metallic contact between the wall ,53 and plate 46. Extending from the lower edge of the side wall 53 and preferably formed integral therewith is a series of drip troughs 55 which are spaced apart as at 46 a distance substantially equal to the width of the troughs. These drip troughs 55 have a slight downward inclination from the side wall 53 and are arranged one beneath each of the V troughs 49 as'shown in Figure ill The lower free ends of these drip troughs 55 rest upon an inclined drain trough 58 into which water collected in the troughs 55 drains and is carried to a suitable drain pipe 59. This drain trough 56 is formed with an outer sidewall 69 secured at its upper portion by the rivets 6| to the side plate 46 at the lower ends of the fins 48. This side wall 69 is insulatively spaced from the side plate 46 by suitable insulating washers 54' whereby there isv no direct metallic contact between the wall 69 and plate. Thus it will be observed that the drip troughs '55 are spaced directly beneath the troughs 49 and are entirely insulated from the'fin assembly by the insulating washers 54 and 54'. A trough 55' is formed along the upper ends of the drip troughs 65.

By referring particularly to Figure 11 it will be seen that moisture is not apt to collect upon the lower surfaces of the' drip troughs 55 due to the upturned lower portions of the fins 49, forming the troughs 49, which bailles the cold air flowing down the upper faces of the fins and causes the air to flow upwardly over the edge of the troughs 49 and then downwardly thru the spaces 56 between the troughs 55; With this arrangement, very little cold air will strike the troughs 55 so that these troughs will be kept at a higher and more even temperature and will therefore be less apt to collect moisture from the air. It will also be noted that the troughs ,49 will carry all drip water from the cooling unit to the drain trough 58 and the troughs 55 merely catch the water that collects on the lower side of the fins 48. Therefore, there will be but very little water carried by the lower troughs 55 and this water will not be as cold as the water which drips directly off of the cooling unit upon the fins 48. The

temperature and will be less apt to collect moisture on their lower sides which would be permitted to drop upon articles stored beneath the drip catcher.

Referring now to Figure 12, the drip fins 48' are of like formation as that of the drip fins 48 shown in Figure 11 and are secured at one end in Figure 10. The lower ends of the drip troughs 55" may drain into a drain trough such as shown in Figure 10. With this arrangement, it will be seen that both the fin assembly and the trough assembly are insulated from the cooling unit and will therefore remain at a higher temperature than the cooling unit and will be less apt to collect moisture, particularly upon the under side of the drip troughs 55".

Referring now to the form of invention shown in Figures 14 to 17, the drip catcher shown therein embodies an arrangement whereby a shield strip is associated with the lower edges of each drip fin to form a narrow opening thru which water may pass into drip troughs arranged beneath each opening. In this form of drip catcher it will also be seen that the fin and trough assemblies while not insulated from one another, are insulated from the cooling unit and also from the drain troughs.

The drip catcher, designated as a whole by the numeral 18, embodies a pair of metal side plates 68 of substantially Z-shape in cross section providing vertical upper portions ll, inclined intermediate portions 12 directed inwardly beneath the cooling unit 4, and vertical lower portions 13. The upper vertical portions 1| are insulatively secured to the vertical flanges of angle irons 14 by means of spacing members 15 of insulating material and thru which are extended fastening elements or rivets 16 which are insulatively spaced from the portions H as shown in Figure 14 so that no direct metallic contact is formed between the metal side plates and the angle irons l4. Secured to and spaced outwardly of each of these metal side plates 68 is a metal outer side plate ll having shapes conforming to the shape of the plates 68 and providing a vertical upper portion 18, inclined intermediate portion 18, and a vertical lower portion 88. The upper vertical portions" and 18 are insulatively spaced apart by spacing members 8| which preferably align with the spacing members 15 and thru which the rivets 16 extend. The lower vertical portions 18 and 88 of each companion pair of plates 68 and Il are insulatively spaced apart by means of spacing members or washers 82 thru which are extended rivets 83. As will be seen in Figure 14, the outer ends of the rivets l6 and 83 are insulated from the outer side plates ll. Thus the outer side plates ll are insulatively spaced from the inner side plates 68, and the plates 68 are insulatively spaced from the cooling unit 4.

Supported at their ends upon the inclined portions I2 of the inner side plates 68 and out of contact with the unit 4 is a series of horizontally disposed metal drip fins or louvers 84 so arranged and spaced apart as to have the lower portions of one fin underlying the upper portion of its adjacent fin so that no open vertical spaces are formed between fins. The lower portion of each drip fin 84 is formed with a downturned angular portion 86 which extends at an angle to the vertical as shown in Figure 15. Associated with the lower portion of each drip fin 84 is a shield strip 86 which extends throughout the length of the fin with its ends engaging the lower vertical plate portions 13 at the upper edges of the plate portions. Theseshields 86 are of angular shape in cross section to provide an upper angular shield portion 81 and a lower vertical drip portion 88.

While if so desired, the shields 86 may be secured at their ends to the inner side plates 68, in the present instance the lower edges of the drip fins 84 are provided with two or more attaching and spacing tongues 88 as shown in Figure 17 which are bent upwardly and secured in any preferred manner to the shields so that the shields are supported from the drip fins. The shields 86 are secured to the fins 84 by the tongues 89 in a manner whereby a narrow water passage 88 is formed throughout the length of the bottom of a substantially V-shaped trough 8| formed by the angular fin portion and the angular shield portion 86. The lower edges of the drip fins 84 are spaced but a slight distance from the surface of the shield portion 81 whereby, the capillary attraction of moisture on the shield serves to pull the water off the lower edge of the fin as soon as the drops of water become large enough to touch or nearly touch the shield. Therefore, this narrow water passage 98 prevents accumulation of drops of water on the lower edge of the drip fins 84 andfreezing of ice at this point during the freezing or "on cycle of the refrigerating apparatus.

It will also be noted that the upper angular shield portion 81, aside from deflecting water into the trough 8|, also serves as a stop for preventing particles of ice or frost from sliding off the fins and falling thru the open spaces between the adjacent shields.

Arranged longitudinally below the vertical drip portion 88 of each shield 86 is a drip trough 92 and these drip troughs 82 are set at a slight angle and are supported at their ends upon the 13 of the side plates 68.

vertical lower portions As will be seen in Figure 14, the lower edge of the shield portion 13 is at a slight angle conforming to the inclination of the troughs 92.

Insulatively supported from the lower end of the vertical lower portion 88 of each outer side plate 11 is a drain trough 83 for collecting all drippings from the plates 68 and I1 and the water collected in the drip troughs 82. The drip troughs 82 have their side walls cut away at the lower ends of the troughs as at 92' to permit draining of water collected therein into the drain trough disposed along the lower ends of the drip troughs. The drain troughs 83 are informs of drip catchers may vary within certain limits for meeting the requirements of cabinets intended for cooling various articles, it has been found that a maximum angle of 30 and a minimum angle of 20 is the most practical for use. In Figures 2 and 11, the fins have been shown disposed at an angle of 30, while in Figure 'l the fins have been shown disposed at an angle of 20 to the horizontal.

While the angle of inclination of the drip fins may vary within certain limits for accomplishing the objects in view, this angle should vary between 20 and 30 to the horizontal. In Figure 7 the drip fins are disposed at a minimum angle of 20 to the horizontal while in Figures '2 and 11 the fins have been shown at a maximum angle of 30 to the horizontal. With the fins disposed at an angle of 20 to' the horizontal they have will- .cient pitch to carry the wateradhering to the lower sides of the fins, to the lower edges of the fins where it may drip into the drip troughs arranged; therebeneath. This disposing of the fins at the minimum angle of 20 to the horizontal also reduces the number of fins required for a cooling unit of a given size and likewise the number of openings between the fins and causes the cold air to travel farther horizontally between the fins in passing downwardly from the cooling unit. It will therefore be seen that less cold air will pass downwardly between the fins when set at an angle of 20 than there would be whenthe fins are set at an angle of 30 or more.

With some articles such as fresh meats, it is better not to have too much of a cold blast upon the meats since such has a tendency to draw the moisture from" the meats. Other articles, however, such as butter, eggs, cheese, bottles of milk, etc., will keep better if they-are kept dry and cold. Therefore, if the cabinet is primarily intended for keeping meats, the fins are set at an angle of 20 to the horizontal, while if the cabinet is primarily intended for cooling of dairy products, the fins when set at an angle of 30 to the horizontal will accomplish the objects in view.

The angle of inclination of the fins should not exceed a maximum of 30 since if placed at a greater angle to the horizontal, the fins would necessarily have to be considerably wider or either spaced much .closer together so as to have them overlap one another. It will be noted that in Figures 2, 7, and 11, that the bottoms of the drip catchers are about 50% open, that is, the drip troughs have spaces between them substantially equal to the width of the troughs. Now, ifthe fins were, spaced closer together, such would necemarily require that the troughs be placed closer together which would decrease the amount of space between the troughs and this would have a tendency to bank the cold air above the troughs and cause excessive cooling of the troughs which in turn would cause excessive condensation on the bottoms of the troughs. On the other hand, if the troughs were leftwith the same spacing and the angle of the fins to the horizontal were increased, it would be necessary to increase the height of the device proportionately to cause the fins to overlap. This increased height would of course be very objectionable in cabinets of this type where conservation of space is a big item.

.Thus it will be seen that an improved form of drip catcher for refrigerated showcases or cabinets of that type having the cooling unit disposed in the upper portion thereof has been provided which not only serves to eliminate dripping of water upon articles disposed therebeneath. but also facilitates and controls circulation of air within the cabinet. It will also be apparent that an arrangement is provided whereby the troughs are so insulated from the cooling unit as to prewould drop upon the articles being cooled. The sheet metal construction of the dripcatcher provides a light construction and one which is easy to apply. The drip catcher occupies but very little space in the cabinet and the construction permits close spacing of the catcher beneath the refrigerating unit without retarding free circulation of air within the cabinet.

Changes in detail may be made to the forms of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeof the following claims.

I claim;

1. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a fin assembly embodying a pair of side plates extended along opposite sides of the unit and a series of spaced apart drip fins supported at their ends on the plates in vertically overlapping relation, and a trough assembly supported by and insulatively spaced from the fin assembly for collecting drippings from. the fin assembly.

2. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a pair of side plates having lower plate portions directed toward one another beneath the unit, a series of spaced apart drip fins supported at their ends .on the lower plate portions in vertically overlapping relation, and trough means insulatively supported from the lower plate portions for carrying of! drippings from said fins.

3. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a pair of side plates having inclined lower plate portions directed inwardly beneath the unit, a series of spaced apart fins supported at their ends on the inclined lower plate portions in vertically overlapping re lation, a series of inclined drip troughs supported by the inclined lower plate portions one below' each of the fins, and a drain trough insulatively supported below the lower end of each inclined lower plate portion, one of said drain troughs providing a receiving trough for the lower ends of the drip troughs. Y

4. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a pair of side platesdisposed along opposite lower side portions of the unit and having lower portions directed inwardly beneath the unit, a series of horizontally disposed spaced apart drip fins secured at their ends to the lower plate portions in vertically overlapping relation, a series of spaced apart drip troughs secured at their ends to the lower plate portions one beneath each of the fins and inclined towards one of the side plates;-and a drain trough insulatively supported from each side plate for receiving drippings therefrom, one of the drain troughs being arranged to receive drippings from the lower ends of the drip troughs.

5. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a pair of side plates extended along the lower side portions of the unit and each having a lower portion directed inwardly beneath the unit, a series of spaced apart drip fins supported at their ends on the lower plate portions in vertically overlapping relation, a series of drip troughs supported between the lower plate portions one beneath each of the'fins and having spaces therebetween substantially equal to the width of the troughs, and a drain trough insulatively supported from each side plate at the lower end thereof for receiving moisture collected on the side plates and in said drip troughs.

6. In a refrigerating cabinet, in combination with a cooling unit disposed in the upper portion of the cabinet, a drip catcher including side plates extended along the lower side portions of the unit and having angular lower portions directed inwardly below the unit, spaced apart drip fins supported by the lower plate portions, a series of spaced apart drip troughs supported by the lower plate portions one below the lower edge of each drip fin, and drain troughs for the side plates and drip troughs and insulatively spaced therefrom, said side plates being spaced from the side walls of the cabinet.

7. A drip catcher for cooling units, comprising a pair of side plates having inwardly directed lower portions, :3. series of spaced apart drip fins supported between the lower plate portions in vertically overlapping relation, a drip trough below the lower edge of each fin and supported by the side plates, an outer side plate insulatively spaced from each fin supporting side plate, and a drain trough insulatively spaced from the lower ends of the outer side plates, said drain troughs providing collectors for the side plates and the drip troughs.

8. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a pair of side plates, means insulatively spacing the side plates from the lower portion of the unit, a series of drip fins supported by the plates in vertically overlapping relation, and a drip collector insulatively supported by the side plates, said drip collector having upwardly inclined side portions and drip channels extending between the side portions and arranged one belowthe lower edge of each drip fin, said channels being spaced apart to provide air passageways.

9. A drip collector for cooling units comprising a pair of angle irons for extending along the lower side portions of the cooling unit, a side plate supported by and insulatively spaced from each angle iron, a series of spaced apart drip fins extending between the side plates and having vertically overlapping relation, and a drip pan insulatively supported by the side plates and formed with spaced apart drain channels arranged one below the lower edge of each drip fin, said drain channels being downwardly inclined toward the center of the drip pan and having drain openings at their lower portions.

10. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a pair of side plates contacting the lower corner portions of the unit, a series of spaced apart drip fins secured at their ends to the lower portions of the plates and having vertically overlapping relation, and a drip collector embodying side plates insulatively spaced from the first mentioned side plates and spaced drain channels disposed one beneath each drip fin.

11. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher therefor comprising a series of spaced apart drip fins having vertically overlapping relation, a trough provided along the lower portion of each drip fin, and a series of spaced apart drip troughs arranged one beneath each trough of the fins.

12. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a series of spaced apart drip fins arranged in vertically overlapping relation and each having a deflector at its lower edge providing a drip fin trough, and a drip trough arranged to extend longitudinally beneath each of said drip fin troughs.

13. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a fin assembly I embodying a series of spaced apart drip fins each having an upturned lower portion providing a trough, and a trough assembly embodying a series of spaced apart drip troughs arranged one beneath each trough of the fins.

14. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a finassembly embodying a pair of side plates contacting lower I corner portions of the unit, and a series of spaced apart drip fins each having an upturned lower portion providing a trough, and a trough assembly insulatively spaced from the fin assembly and embodying a series of spaced apart drip troughs arranged one beneath each trough of said fins.

15. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip with a fin assembly embodying a series of fins having upturned lower portions providing a trough for each fin; a drip collector for the fin assembly and embodying a series of spaced apart drip troughs arranged longitudinally one beneath the trough of each fin.

17. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination with a fin assembly embodying a series of fins having upturned lower portions providing a trough for each fin; a drip collector for the fin assembly and embodying a series of spaced apart drip troughs arranged longitudinally one beneath the trough of each fin, and means insulatively spacing the drip collector from the fin assembly.

18. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a pair of inner .side plates, means insulatively spacing the plates at their upper portions from the unit, a series of spaced apart drip fins supported at their ends upon the plates, a drip trough beneath the lower edge of each drip fin and supported at their ends upon the plates, an outer side plate insulatively supported outwardly of each inner side, plate, and a drain trough insulatively supported from the lower portion of each outer side plate.

19. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a series of spaced apart transversely inclined drip fins, a shield member secured to the lower portion of each fin and co-acting with the lower edge of thefintoprovide a trough having an opening throughout the length of its bottom, and a drip trough arranged beneath each drip fin in vertical alignment below said openings.

20. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher for the unit comprising a series of horizontally disposed spaced apart drip fins, a shield strip supported with one surface thereof spaced for a slight distance from the lower edge of each drip fin, said shield strips having horizontal upper edges projecting above and parallel with the lower edges of the fins and inclined lower edges extending below the lower edges of the fins, and a drip trough arranged beneath each shield strip parallel with the lower edge thereof.

21. In a drip catcher, a pair of side plates, 9.

series of drip fins supported by the side plates in' vertically overlapping relation, a shield strip secured along the lower edge of each fin and slightly spaced therefrom, said shields having an upper shield portion projecting above the lower edge of the fin and a lower drip portion depending below the fin, and a series of drip troughs supported by the side plates and arranged one beneath each of said drip portions.

22. In a drip catcher, a series of spaced apart drip fins each having a downturned angular portion at its lower edge, a shield including an upper angular shield portioncoacting with said downturned angular portion to provide a trough, and a lower vertical drip portion extending below the lower edge of the drip fins. means supporting and spacing the shield in slightly spaced relation to the lower edge of said downturned lower portion,

. troughs arranged one below the lower edge of each louver, and means insulatively spacing the trough assembly from the louver assembly.

24. In combination with a cooling unit, a drip catcher below the unit comprising a louver assembly, a trough assembly below the louver assembly, and spacing members of heat insulating material insulatively spacing the trough assembly from the louver assembly.

RAY M. HENDERSON. 

